Two good, two bad: Southampton v Huddersfield

Another matchday, another feeling of underwhelming frustration at full-time. Saints failed to score more than one goal once again against Huddersfield and also failed to take three points. Relegation alarm bells are truly ringing as the pressure on Pellegrino is mounting. Things must change drastically within the next few weeks.

1) Much like Jack Stephens a few weeks ago, Matt Targett returned to the starting eleven yesterday and was one of our best performers. Trying to shake Bertrand out the side is never easy so when you get a chance through injury to the England international you must take it. He looked composed on the ball and for the most part looked as though he’d never been out through injury himself.

2) We scored! Charlie Austin’s header, arguably against the run of play, was taken very well and it sparked a good spell for Saints where the Home some had some poise about their play. However, we failed to double our lead, more about that later…

1) Shape. During the second half, it wasn’t clear what formation Pellegrino was employing on his side. There’s becoming a pattern during our games where teams are finding and exploiting vast amounts of space left due to the organisation of the side. Whether it’s the players of managers fault it’s costing us goals most weeks and it played a part in Huddersfield’s equaliser. The space allowed the ball to be whipped in to find an unmarked Depoitre to head home.

2) Not taking our chances. Yes, Again. Clear chances through both Redmond and Austin had to hit the back of the net to give Saints some breathing space, however, they did not and we paid for it. It’s becoming more and more worrying that when chances fail to go in, the players drop their heads and act like it’ll never will. For me, it’s past a joke now and the coaching staff and board need to take necessary action for us to start killing teams off.

The Saints sit only three points outside the relegation zone and with away fixtures against Tottenham and Manchester United up next, there’s a real possibility we’ll occupy a spot in the trap door going into the new year. We can only hope that it won’t be too late before the higher forces make the changes that are so desperately needed.